Page 78 of Embrace

They mutter an apology before heading inside to grab the broom. The guys clear the porch, and it’s just Scarlett and me left out here. But now that we’re away from the heat that filled my bedroom, I feel a distance between us. Something that makes her stare at anything but me.

“Hey, about what happened upstairs…” I start to say.

“What happened?” she asks, drunkenly blinking up at me.

I think that shard of glass from earlier found its way to my heart.But she’s right, nothing happened. Of course it didn’t. She’s drunk, and so am I.

And I’d hate to be like every other guy she’s met at parties like these.

Scarlett and me, we’re good like this.

We’re friends. Everyone is always just my friend.

Twenty-six

Scarlett

It’s been aweek since Halloween, and there’s a permanent blush on my face from having Kian so close.

If he had kissed me, his lips would be branded there, invisible tattoos of his mouth inked on me. It’s been hard to take a single breath while those memories play on a loop in my mind.

My dreams led to his mouth moving lower, over the hardened peaks under my costume, and how his callused palms would weigh on my skin. I’d ask him to press harder, leaving tiny indents to find later.

“Rosie? You okay?” My dad’s voice brings me back. “You’re flushed.”

Before I can answer, he presses the back of his hand to my forehead. We stop at a red light and he takes the opportunity to look at me properly. My hair always seems to highlight any red on my face, even underneath my deeper skin tone.

I have the same complexion as my mom, so you’d think blush wouldn’t seep through. But we’ve both been blessed with skin that blooms a deep maroon blush, showing our thoughts on our face. I just hope none of mine scream Kian Ishida right now.

“Just feeling a little hot.” I chuckle lightly, waving a hand in front of my face. He pulls into the arena, parking by the front entrance. I’m already on high alert. “I thought we were going home?”

“I left my laptop here. I need to send Ishida yesterday’s tapes.”

My curiosity peaks. Those videos are usually given right after they’re done. It doesn’t make sense that Kian didn’t get them. “Practice tapes?”

My dad nods. “I let the team skip the ice today for the weight room, but those who weren’t there still need the footage.”

Kian didn’t show up? I know his schedule a little too well, and he definitely had plans to go to the gym. He always talks about how it builds rapport with the team.

We haven’t really texted since the party aside from the few updates he’s given me about studying. Now I hesitate before sending him a message. But there’s a pit in my stomach that won’t ease until I do.

Scarlett:You doing okay?

The wait for his response eats away at my resolve, and by the time my dad’s back and driving, I can’t take it.

“Wait!”

He slows the car down, glancing at me warily.

“I…I forgot my homework at the dorm. It’s due tomorrow, so I’ll have to pull an all-nighter.”

“That’s all right. We can go pick it up—”

“No! Iona’s right there, I’ll walk.”

“Scarlett—”

“Dad. Please. I need to go. I’ll be home tomorrow. I promise.”